Those who want to have a healthy lifestyle should not only exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, and avoid excessive alcohol and tobacco, but must also include healthy cooking. Healthy cooking involves lots of things including planning and preparing meals that use wholesome ingredients and cooking dishes that do not have excessive sodium, sugar or unhealthy fats.

Healthy cooking also incorporates cooking techniques that reduce fat like grilling, placing meat on rack over a baking pan, removing fat from broths, blanching, roasting, and steaming foods. Steaming can preserve the nutritional value of foods like vegetables, instead of frying or boiling. It also encourages the use of healthy alternative ingredients like lentils or beans in place of animal-based proteins.

Going off to college, first time living on your own, or starting a family can be a thrilling experience or a scary one. Part of the growing up process is leaving the comforts of home such as home-cooked meals and having someone, your mom particularly, to do all things for you. While you may not be able to replicate yet all the good stuff that your mom cooks, you need some basic things to survive if you do not want to waste all your money on take-outs.

Cooking would be easy if you have the necessary pots and pans to cook your dishes with. You might want to have a stockpot to cook pasta and a large saucepan if you are cooking spaghetti for a number of people. You also need a smaller saucepan to reheat leftovers, and a skillet or two. Some prefer a smaller skillet to fry eggs, while you need a larger one to brown meat and sauté stuff.

by nedoho

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1. Spanish omelette. Jazz up the humble egg with a pepper, some onion and maybe a handful of grated cheese for quick meals with eggs that the whole family will enjoy.
2. Chinese stir fry. Use up all the bits and bats of veg you have in the fridge including peppers and add a spicy sauce for extra taste. Serve with rice or noodles for an easy, nutritious meal.
3. Stuffed peppers. Baked peppers take on a whole new lease of life so if you have left over risotto or savoury rice, stuff and bake for a yummy lunch the next day.

As anyone who has a family to feed will tell you, it can sometimes be difficult trying to please everyone, particularly if you have a few fussy eaters, which, let’s face it, is often the case when it comes to children.



Feeding your kids something that they will enjoy, but which is also good for them, can be hard, especially when you are pushed for time and trying to do a million different things at once! But don’t worry, help is at hand. 

We all know that there are certain foods and drinks that have that feel good factor to them. In mid-winter you are drawn towards making rich stews and soups, lots of meals with mashed potatoes and gravy, puddings covered in custard. And in the summer we move towards lighter bites and things that are refreshing. Cucumber, salads, ice cream and sorbets, all take the weight out of a hot humid day.



Drinks can do the same thing. If you’ve been out for a walk on a cold winter’s day, you don’t feel like a glass of lemonade when you come in. You want hot chocolate, canned tomato soup, anything piping hot and comfort inducing! And in the summer, an ice cold beer or a glass of wine is just what you need for that early evening drink.